Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Texas Rangers lost to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday by the score of 10-1 to drop the Rangers to 47-73, last in the American League West. The Rangers' nightmarish season can be attributed mainly to injuries, as 10 players are currently on the 60-day disabled list. The injury news for the Rangers just got worse, as starter Yu Darvish has been placed on the 15-day DL with elbow inflammation.

As reported by T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, Darvish was supposed to pitch on Thursday against the Rays, but Robbie Ross Jr. will be called up and start in his place. Darvish indicated that his elbow was not bothering him during Saturday's start, but he felt it when trying to play catch on Monday. He did not throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels indicated that the Rangers were erring on the side of caution with the Rangers out of contention.

"Yu expressed he could pitch if we were in a different spot. If we were in a more meaningful spot
[in the standings], Yu would be good to go. But he agreed and we agreed
to be cautious and smart about it."

There is no indication whether or not Darvish will be lost for the remainder of the season.

"That's real premature. I don't think so. That's not where his head is and that's not where our head is."

Darvish, in his third Major League season, is 10-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 22 starts. In 144 1/3 innings, he's allowed 133 hits and stuck out 182. Darvish has a career record of 39-25 with an ERA of 3.27. In 545 1/3 innings, he's allowed only 434 hits and struck out 680.